REFLECTORS AND MOUNTS FOR PANORAMIC OPTICAL SYSTEMS

• US 3,846,809 A
• Filed: 10/18/1973
• Issued: 11/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward L. Schiavone, Gerald J. Troje, Joseph A. Pinzone
• Original Assignee: Edward L. Schiavone, Gerald J. Troje, Joseph A. Pinzone
• Inventors: Pinzone, Joseph A., Troje, Gerald J., Schiavone, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horan, John M.
• Application Number:
  US05/407,588
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 95/15,16,17 352/69 354/95
• US Class Current: 396/21
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/06 involving anamorphosis G03B37/02, G03B37/04 take precedence

Abstract

A system of frusto-conical and hemispherical reflectors mounted on supporting structures for attachment to the interior or exterior of a camera lens barrel to provide panoramic viewing. A peripherally adjustable sunshade and a rain protector may be provided. The reflectors may be adjustably positioned with respect to the camera lens.

Claims

1. In an optical system for recording panoramic images with a photographic camera having a lens mounted within a lens barrel the combination comprising a reflector containing a surface of revolution, the axis of said surface of revolution being concentric with the viewing axis of said camera, and said surface of revolution being so oriented with respect to said camera lens as to reflect a view of the panorama along said camera axis, means for mounting said reflector in spaced position in front of the lens of said camera, said means for mounting comprising at least one transparent stem member having one end adapted for connection to the lens barrel of the camera and the other end adapted to support said reflector, whereby said camera can record a panoramic image

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said reflector is frusto-conical in shape.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said reflector is hemispherical in shape.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said reflector is a combination of frustoconical and hemispherical shapes.

5. The combination according to claim 4 including means to adjust the positioN of said reflector along the camera axis.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a single transparent stem member connected to a transparent disc having external threads adapted to screw into the barrel of the camera lens barrel.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of transparent stem members having one end connected to an internally threaded ring member adapted to screw onto the barrel of the camera lens barrel.

8. The combination according to claim 7 including a disc member supported by the other ends of said transparent stem members, said disc member having peripheral means for mounting peripherally extendable shade means to block out selected portions of the panoramic view.